Just released in the last few days is the latest book by Alex Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur entitled “The Invincible Company: How to constantly reinvent your organization with inspiration from the worlds best business models”.

https://www.strategyzer.com/books/the-invincible-company

In line with their previous books, this builds on their success with the business model canvas to explore its application as a tool for understanding business model innovation. In particular, the book highlights the dynamic aspects of a business model using lots of patterns of business model use.

The success of this book, as with the others, lies in 3 areas….from which we can all learn a lot:

  1. The simple, compelling graphics and layout designed for ease of access to the materials. Their books really have revolutionized how to describe business process and modelling approaches. This is how you create consumable ideas.
  2. Use of lots of contemporary examples to illustrate business models in use, and their variations. There are many very good discussions of a range of digitally-driven business models from around the world. There is no excuse for using old, outdated examples.  (Shame on you if you’re still using Southwest Airlines, Kodak, and Blockbuster in your slides!)
  3. A set of content delivered in multiple forms, and accessible in the open. The book is just one form of content for purchase. The first 100+ pages of the book are downloadable for free. The website also includes templates, tools, and software to help apply some of the ideas. All supported by consulting and workshops. Using this variety of approaches is how to look at engagement today.

Go to the site and download the 100+ page preview.

Here is a brief overview of what is in the book:

Invincible companies not only know how to design superior business models but they constantly reinvent themselves.

In The Invincible Company, we demonstrate how any organization can become unstoppable by managing a portfolio of existing businesses and by simultaneously exploring a pipeline of potential new growth engines.

The hands-on book contains several practical and essential tools including the Business Portfolio Map, Innovation Metrics, the Culture Map and a series of illustrated Business Model Mechanics.

The combination of these tools and our learnings will allow any company to forge a path toward becoming the next Invincible Company.